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Download a FREE single from our 2013 Compilation Album!

May 16, 2013 By athfest

We are BEYOND excited for the release of our 2013 Compilation Album. To help set the tone, we are giving away downloads of the opening track from the album – “Hard Times” by Darnell Boys. Remember to join us on June 1st at The World Famous for your chance to purchase copies of the album, PLUS catch a free concert featuring Darnell Boys, k i d s, and King of Prussia (Taj Hanick & Friends). RSVP on Facebook here.

Click the picture below to open the mp3. (right click – ‘save as’ on the player to download)

Filed Under: Education News, Festival News, Half Marathon News, News

AthFest named in top 10 Summer Music Festivals by Livability.com!

May 8, 2013 By athfest
AthFest has been named one of the Top 10 Summer Festivals 2013 by
Livability.com, a national website that ranks quality of life and travel amenities of
America’s small and mid-sized cities. AthFest held the number four spot.


For the 2013 list, Livability.com editors looked for those summer festivals most
connected to their host cities’ identities in terms of theme, the experiences to be
had and community participation Teree Caruthers, an editor at Livability.com, said,
“The best summer festivals not only encourage tourism, but also engage and inspire residents.
That community spirit drives the festival’s success and is often reflected in the festival’s
character….AthFest was chosen because it helps reinforce Athens’s branding
efforts, increases tourism, fosters community pride and helps raise money for worthy causes.”


Jared Bailey, AthFest director and founder told Livability.com editors that AthFest
deserved consideration because, “AthFest showcases some of the best music in
town, at some of the best live music venues, and in the heart of the historic
downtown Athens cityscape. It also showcases local art in the Artist Market, film
at the FilmFest, music videos at the Sprockets Music Video Festival, comedy at
LaughFest, kids music and arts activities at KidsFest, as well as drawing attention
to local food vendors and businesses, and the generosity of the Athens spirit of
giving in how much money it raises and how much good we do with it in the community.”


Top 10 Summer Festivals 2013

1. Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY
2. Portland Rose Festival – Portland, OR
3. Virginia Highlands Festival – Abingdon, VA
4. AthFest Music & Arts Festival – Athens, GA
5. Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts – State College, PA
6. CMA Music Festival – Nashville, TN
7. Mudbug Madness Festival – Shreveport, LA
8. Strolling of the Heifers – Brattleboro, VT
9. Papillion Days – Papillion, NE
10. Sweet Pea Festival – Bozeman, MT


Read the full story here.

Filed Under: Education News, Festival News

AthFest Compilation Album release party announced!

April 30, 2013 By athfest

AthFest Educates announced the line-up for the 2013 AthFest
Compilation CD, a rousing collection of artists and tracks, with stunning
artwork by local tattoo and print artist, David Hale.
This year’s CD–produced as usual by Ghostmeat Records—will
feature Patterson Hood, The Darnell Boys, Dangfly!, The Welfare
Liners, Don Chambers, High Strung String Band, and King of Prussia,
whose track includes Mike Mills (REM) on piano. There are also songs
by Lera Lynn, Easter Island, Shonna Tucker & Eye Candy, The
Hobohemians, The Warm Fuzzies, Like Totally!, Brothers, k i d s, and a
MrJordanMrTonks song written by songwriter Jack Logan.
A release party will be held Saturday, June 1st at The World
Famous (351 N. Hull St), with performances by King of Prussia
(Brandon Taj Hanick and Friends) at 9pm, k i d s at 10pm, and Darnell
Boys at 11pm. Doors open at 8:00pm and there is no cover.
The CD will be released June 18th, and will be available at
AthFest.com, Ghostmeat.com, select record stores, AthFest merch
booths and globally via iTunes and other digital music stores. AthFest
CDs are released to promote the annual festival, with proceeds from
sales of the CDs helping to raise money for AthFest Educates’ yearround educational efforts.

Filed Under: Education News, Festival News

AthFest Educates Sponsors Showcase of C.C.S.D.’s Arts Programs:

April 20, 2013 By athfest
AthFest Educates, a non profit dedicated to supporting arts and music education in Athens, has teamed up with the Clarke County School District to present “Clarke Celebrates the Arts,” on Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm in the Fine Arts complex at Cedar Shoals High School. The day will include 25 performances from district students and teachers, and AthFest Educates will present a panel of arts professionals discussing their work, and opportunities in the arts that students can look forward to upon graduation from high school.
The event is free and open to the public. All the students performing attend elementary, middle and high school in the Clarke County School District. Musical performances will include jazz ensembles, orchestras, choirs, vocal and piano soloists and percussion ensembles. In addition, a teacher ensemble will perform. Dance students will perform step dance routines, classical ballet and jazz routines. An art exhibit will be on display in the lobby of the auditorium featuring student artwork.
The panel discussion, which will start at 1:30, will be moderated by Jared Bailey, Executive Director and founder of AthFest Educates and AthFest Music Festival, and founder of Flagpole Magazine. Other panelists include: Kyshona Armstrong, a music therapist and singer songwriter; David Barbe, who has been in the music business for over 30 years as an engineer, producer, songwriter, musician and studio owner and is currently the Director of the University of Georgia Music Business Program; Michael Lachowski, an artist and a founder of the band Pylon, the film group Flicker, the design agency and store Candy, and the magazine Young, Foxy & Free; and Dan Smith, a professional artist, aka See Dan Paint, and art teacher at Gaines Elementary School.
Panelists will give short presentations about their work in the arts, followed by a question and answer period.The fine arts day was conceived of when Dr. Noris Price, Deputy Superintendent of the Clarke County School District approached Jay Wucher, CCSD fine arts consultant, and asked that he explore the possibility of having a celebration of the arts in Clarke County. Wucher reached out to AthFest Educates, which had recently become a Partner in Education, and asked that they work with the school district and help plan the event.
An organizing committee formed, with members from the school district and area schools, as well as Chris Taylor from UGA, and they worked with area schools to plan the Clarke Celebrates the Arts event. Bailey says the goal of the event is to, “showcase the talents of our local students, and the efforts of this district’s excellent music education programs, the University of Georgia’s outreach into the district and the community that supports music and arts education, as well as to interest more people in the fine arts in school and beyond.”
Filed Under: Education News, Festival News, Half Marathon News

AthFest Educates makes $10,490 donation to purchase instruments

April 17, 2013 By athfest

AthFest Educates, a non-profit dedicated to music and arts education in Athens, donated $10,490 to the Clarke County School District to purchase instruments for use in five district elementary schools’ after school band programs.

The donation is one of many AthFest Educates makes to local music and arts projects in and around Athens, but is the largest single donation in the organization’s history, and included five flutes, four clarinets, three alto saxophones, four trumpets, three trombones, and four drum/bell kits. The instruments will go to Whit Davis, Timothy Road, JJ Harris, Cleveland Road and Chase Street Elementary Schools for use in their after school band programs.
The After School Band program was started in Fall of 2011 under the guidance of Jay Wucher, a music consultant to the school district, Dr. Skip Taylor, of UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music and supervision of graduate student Jocelyn Prendergast. The After School Band program is modeled after similar programs implemented and overseen by Taylor like the UGA String Project, where UGA music education students teach the young musicians, and graduate students work with the pre-service teachers.
Taylor says, “With the joining of Athfest, Clarke County schools and the Hodgson School of Music, many more elementary school students are learning about music with hands-on experiences, and aspiring music teachers are getting valuable teaching experience.  It’s a good thing all around!”
In addition to the instrument donation, which will loan instruments to students in need, free of rental fees, AthFest Educates fulfilled grants to provide 18 scholarships for students who could not pay the tuition for the music program. AthFest Educates also plans to continue to contribute to the full list of instrument needs for other CCSD programs.
Janine Sheedy, Education Chair of AthFest Educates says, “The earlier kids are invited to participate in learning about and making music, especially with their peers, the better.  Getting instruments into the hands of young people in our community is the epitome of the goal of AthFest Educates, and we are thrilled to do it.”
Jay Wucher echoes that sentiment, saying: “Starting children at an early age helps to promote a love of music and better prepares them to succeed in their middle school band programs.  It also helps build an investment in their musical future and a sense of accomplishment.  With the purchase of these instruments more children from all backgrounds will now have a chance to be part of something that can be life changing.”
Several projects that have been sponsored by AthFest Educates will be featured at the AthFest Music Festival, including the Barrow DrumCorp and the UGA String Project, which will perform on the KidsFest stage and main stage respectively.

AthFest Educates, a non-profit dedicated to music and arts education in Athens, donated $10,490 to the Clarke County School District to purchase instruments for use in five district elementary schools’ after school band programs.
The donation is one of many AthFest Educates makes to local music and arts projects in and around Athens, but is the largest single donation in the organization’s history, and included five flutes, four clarinets, three alto saxophones, four trumpets, three trombones, and four drum/bell kits. The instruments will go to Whit Davis, Timothy Road, JJ Harris, Cleveland Road and Chase Street Elementary Schools for use in their after school band programs.

The After School Band program was started in Fall of 2011 under the guidance of Jay Wucher, a music consultant to the school district, Dr. Skip Taylor, of UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music and supervision of graduate student Jocelyn Prendergast. The After School Band program is modeled after similar programs implemented and overseen by Taylor like the UGA String Project, where UGA music education students teach the young musicians, and graduate students work with the pre-service teachers.
Taylor says, “With the joining of Athfest, Clarke County schools and the Hodgson School of Music, many more elementary school students are learning about music with hands-on experiences, and aspiring music teachers are getting valuable teaching experience.  It’s a good thing all around!”

In addition to the instrument donation, which will loan instruments to students in need, free of rental fees, AthFest Educates fulfilled grants to provide 18 scholarships for students who could not pay the tuition for the music program. AthFest Educates also plans to continue to contribute to the full list of instrument needs for other CCSD programs.

Janine Sheedy, Education Chair of AthFest Educates says, “The earlier kids are invited to participate in learning about and making music, especially with their peers, the better.  Getting instruments into the hands of young people in our community is the epitome of the goal of AthFest Educates, and we are thrilled to do it.”

Jay Wucher echoes that sentiment, saying: “Starting children at an early age helps to promote a love of music and better prepares them to succeed in their middle school band programs.  It also helps build an investment in their musical future and a sense of accomplishment.  With the purchase of these instruments more children from all backgrounds will now have a chance to be part of something that can be life changing.”

Several projects that have been sponsored by AthFest Educates will be featured at the AthFest Music Festival, including the Barrow DrumCorp and the UGA String Project, which will perform on the KidsFest stage and main stage respectively.

Filed Under: Education News, Festival News, Half Marathon News

Sprockets Music Video Festival CALL FOR ENTRIES!

April 10, 2013 By athfest

SPROCKETS MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL

The longest running film festival exclusively for music videos in the world


2013 CALL FOR ENTRIES IS GOING ON NOW!


2013 SCHEDULE


April 15 Final Entry Deadline


June 15 Sprockets Music Video Show at the 40 Watt Club


June 20 Flagpole Music Awards


2013 *ALL-STAR* JUDGES


Christopher Roberts - Head of Artist Relations for VICE Media


Coleen Haynes - Executive Producer RSA/Black Dog Films


Heather McIntosh - Cellist, Bassist, Film Composer


Jennifer Smith - Writer/Director, Professor of Video Production at UGA Grady College


Stephen Pitalo - Writer/Editor, Music Video Historian


WINNERS


• video played at the Flagpole Music Awards


• one of a kind trophy by sculptor Mike Harboldt


• winning video announced on the IMVDb.com blog


Sprockets 2013 is An AthFest affiliated event!


MORE INFO & ENTRY FORM: http://filmathens.net/sprockets
Filed Under: Festival News

AthFest Educates green-lights instrument purchase

April 6, 2013 By athfest

AthFest Educates, a local non-profit that produces both the AthFest Music Festival and the AthHalf Half Marathon, is proud to announce its latest investment in the community.


Throughout the year, we award grants to local organizations that fit with our overall mission, the latest proposal which we have awarded was for The Clarke County School District Elementary After School Band Program!

Started in 2011, the After School Band Program has been fighting an uphill battle against the steep price of purchase/rental for instruments. They have seen a large number of interested students forced to quit the program because of this financial hurdle. Their proposal to AthFest highlighted this problem, and offered a solution. We have awarded the program $10,490 to purchase an array of instruments that they can then loan to interested students for FREE!

The instruments purchased:

  • 5 Flutes
  • 4 Clarinets
  • 3 Alto Saxes
  • 4 Trumpets
  • 3 Trombones
  • 4 Drum/Bell Kits

AthFest Educates would like to thank every single person who has contributed to our organization, whether through volunteer hours or monetarily for making this donation possible. You can support AthFest Educates, and enable us to continue making an impact by volunteering, buying a festival wristband, or running in our race!

Filed Under: Education News, Festival News

First wave of acts announced for AthFest 2013!

April 2, 2013 By athfest

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AthFest is a fundraiser produced by local non-profit AthFest Educates, which works to promote Music & Arts education in the community. The 2013 festival  will present a ton of talent, and as always, feature FREE outdoor stages, as well as our massive evening Club Crawl, featuring 10+ venues. Wristbands for the Club Crawl and affiliated events will be $15 advance ($5 off the full price) during the month of April, available online. Most of the shows on the Club Crawl will have the option of a cover at the door, but all are free with wristband.

First wave of Artists announced for AthFest 2013:


Patterson Hood and the Downtown Mystic Rumblers

This Athfest performance will be the first, and possibly only ever performance from a merging of the two bands Patterson put together to promote his album “Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance”.

In addition to Patterson, the band features Patterson’s Dad, Muscle Shoals session veteran David Hood on Bass.  The band also features Claire Campbell and Page Campbell (Hope For Agoldensummer, Dreamboat), Jacob Morris on Cello (check out his fantastic solo album “Moths”); and Jay Gonzalez and Brad Morgan from Drive-By Truckers.

Modern Skirts (FINAL show!)

AthFest has seen many sides of the Modern Skirts over the years. We have witnessed them exploring their seemingly limitless creativity in countless club shows, and several unforgettable outdoor performances. Preceding the release of their experimental but wholly satisfying Gramahawk album, few can forget their passionate performance in the pouring rain as an outdoor headliner.  After countless gigs, and with thousands upon thousands of enthralled fans, Modern Skirts have decided to disband. It is with heavy hearts that we welcome them to our festival to send them off properly.

Zoogma

ZOOGMA combines the sonic diversity and precision of a DJ with the excitement and immediacy of a four-piece rock group. Known for their energetic performances and retina pleasing light show, the band consistently dishes out heavyweight beat-driven dance parties across the nation. Sets are kinetic, combining live improvisation with carefully crafted beats and melodic textures.

Ghost Owl (ft. members of Perpetual Groove)

Ghost Owl is a new band formed by Adam Perry, Albert Suttle, and Matthew McDonald, members of Perpetual Groove. Ghost Owl’s goal is to take Music, Visual Art, Technology, and Production to make an entirely new kind of live music experience and album. The members of Ghost Owl have made it the band’s theme and mission to continue to learn and push themselves through many different types of “lessons” which will be implemented in the live show.A mix of EDM Indie Hipster Crush!

Cracker

Cracker, the group that veritably introduced brash irreverence and irony into alt-rock, joins us at AthFest 2013! David Lowery, in the mid-80s, in Santa Cruz, California, formed Camper Van Beethoven, and their “Take the Skinheads Bowling” became an instant college radio staple. When CVB disbanded on tour in Sweden, following their second major label release, Lowery formed Cracker with his longtime friend Johnny Hickman. (The pair had met on the local music scene as teenagers in Redlands, CA.) Cracker’s emergent sound had less in common with Camper’s exotic excursions and was more in synch with the Kinks and Southern roots music.

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Expanded list of performers:

Lera Lynn
 Radiolucent
 Quiet Hounds
 New Madrid
 The District Attorneys
 Bloodkin
 White Violet
 Sons of Bill
 Like Totally
Strawberry Flats
Jim White
Dodd Ferrelle



Filed Under: Festival News

Artist Market FAQ

March 19, 2013 By athfest

Artist Market: Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the Artist Market Hours?

The Artist Market is central to the 3 days of the Festival. As such, artists are expected to display on Friday Saturday and Sunday.

Friday: Load in and set-up from 1 pm to 5 pm, Market Hours: 5 pm-10 pm

Saturday: Market Hours: 12 pm-10 pm

Sunday: Market Hours: 12:30 pm-8 pm. Break-down and Move Out: 8 pm-10 pm. Washington Street re-opens to traffic at approximately10 pm.

How Long Do Artists Get to Unload?

Artists will be e-mailed a barricade pass with directions on how to enter and exit the festival area about a week before the festival. The load-in/out times will be listed on the pass.

We ask that artists unload vehicle(s) as quickly as possible and then move them to parking. The barricade pass allows you 15 minutes to unload. You should not expect to set up your entire booth before moving your car! Space is very tight, and it is important that we get vehicles out of the festival area as soon as possible. Once the festival is open to foot traffic, all vehicles must be out.

If you are late to the festival (after 5 pm Friday, 12 pm Saturday, or 12:30 pm Sunday), you may not enter the festival area to unload. You may be allowed to park outside the foot traffic area and walk your items in.

Is Parking Provided?

Yes. Parking is provided for artist vehicles, through an arrangement with Prestige Parking. Once you arrive and unload, you will see a Prestige Rep for information on where to park. Spaces for Oversized vehicles and campers/trailers are limited. Parking in the Downtown Parking Decks is free on Sunday.

Do I Have to Stay the Whole Time?

It is our general expectation that artists exhibit during the advertised hours of the market. If you have a special circumstance, talk with the Artist Market Chair. Leaving early without giving notice may result in your exclusion from the Artist Market in the future.

Questions?

Submit any questions to Sean Cook, Artist Market Chair, via e-mail to artsatathfestdotcom  (artsatathfestdotcom)  

Filed Under: News

Bands/Musicians: How to get involved with the 2013 Festival

February 14, 2013 By athfest

We have opened up two digital avenues for Bands & Musicians to submit to be a part of the 2013 Festival, and are currently accepting submissions for:

1. The 2013 AthFest Compilation Album: Past albums have included the likes of R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Reptar, and more! To submit to potentially included in the 2013 album, head HERE.

2. We are currently accepting submissions via Sonicbids for bands/musicians to be considered for performing at the 2013 Festival. Submitting will automatically enter you to be considered for outdoor stage slots, as well as club-crawl venue slots. Head HERE.

Filed Under: Festival News
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